Albert Legault

Albert Leo Legault passed away peacefully at Salem Hospital on Thursday, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Estelle (Mallet) Legault and John R. Legault on 38 Perkins Street in the French-Canadian section of Salem. He was number nine out of twelve children. He adored his older sisters, who he considered second mothers to him. He grew up swimming off the docks in Palmer's Cove, and he shined shoes as a child along with his siblings to raise money for his family. He attended high school at St. Joseph's Academy where he met his wife, Mariane Devoe. After high school he was supposed to be the family priest and studied in a seminary. When he was told that he wasn't priest material he went with plan B and decided to marry the girl next door. He considered himself somewhat of a priest and lived up to the nicknames, "The Cardinal" and "The Pope of Paradise Road."
He was among the first of men admitted to the Lynn School of Nursing. He graduated in 1963, married Mariane one week later, then joined the Airforce. They traveled around the world where their four children were born in Mississippi, Japan, and Texas. He attended anesthesia school and achieved the rank of captain. He worked in the Philippines as a medic during the Vietnam war. He was one of the first to ever administer a kidney dialysis machine. He was a nurse anesthetist for most of his life finishing his career at Salem Hospital. He also started The Greater New England Academy of Hypnosis and traveled the country leading hypnosis seminars, opened a donut shop with two of his brothers and got his master's degree in psychology where he counseled people out of his home office. One of the happiest days of his life was participating in The Honor Flight New England, where veterans were invited to Washington, DC and honored for their service.
He wanted everyone to know, first and foremost, how charming he was – which is true. He was friendly, affable and fun with his close friends and strangers alike. He was Clark Griswold before there was a Clark Griswold as he's most famous for, "Big Al's Christmas Fantasy Land". Planes in the sky could see his home and manger scene while jolly Christmas music echoed down Paradise Road. Christmas Eve was an epic event.
He was often seen with his first love – gardening and his second love – Speedos, which he would pair with socks and sandals or work boots depending on the project. In his defense, he had the bod. His gardens were a source of great joy for him and others. He leaves a family that will miss him dearly, feeling an insurmountable loss, who don't know how they'll survive Christmas without him. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather and dogfather. He is survived by his sister Paula Lareau, loving wife of 61 years, Mariane Devoe Legault and his children, Christine Legault, Leo and his wife Lynne Legault, Collette and her husband Gary Snoonian, Emile "Max" and his wife Cindy Legault. Grandchildren, Lorraine and her husband Patrick Deacy, Chad and Cameron Legault, Moira Legault, Julia and Elise Snoonian. Great grandchildren, Charlotte and Gwen Deacy as well as many nieces and nephews.
His funeral mass will be held on Friday September 6 at 10:30AM at St. Mary's Star of the Sea, 253 Cabot Street, Beverly with a reception at the family home on Paradise Road to follow. Visiting hours are Thursday September 5 from 4 to 7PM at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St. Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at www.CampbellFuneral.com.